Engine starter



June 2, 1931.

Maw,

M. P. WHITNEY ENGINE STARTER Filed Dec. 5: 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l v June 2, 1931. M. P. WHITNEY 1,808,622 ENGINE STARTER Filed Dec. 5, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1931. M. P. WHITNEY 1,808,622

7 ENGINE STARTER Filed Dec. 5, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE MAURICE P. WHITNEY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE GOM- PANYfOF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ENGINE STARTER Application filed December 5, 1923. Serial No. 678,733.

My invention relates to means for starting an' engine such as an internal combustion engine and pertains more particularly to the drive or transmission which is 10- cated between a prime mover such as an. electric motor and a member of the en me to be started such as a flywheel thereof. he object of'my invention is to provide novel and eflicient means for preventing any undue strain upon or injury to the parts of the drive in case the pinion is in mesh with the flywheel when the engine is rotating backwardly as in the event of back fire, and also for preventing the meshing of the driving member or pinion of the drive when the engine is so rotating or moving backwardly. My present invention is an improvement upon that heretofore made by me as described and claimed in an application filed February 3, 1923, Serial No. 616,669.

\ In the drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation 'of a starter system embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a similar view but illustrating the cranking position of the drive; Fig. 3 asimilar view but illustratin the relative position of the drive parts an the directions of rotation thereof whenthe flywheel is rotating backwardly and the pinion is in contact but not in mesh therewith; and Figs 4 and 5 sections on the corresponding section lines of Figs. 2 and 3 respectively.

In the present instance I have illustrated my invention in connection with the wellknown Bendix drive of the so-called free or pinion is made in two parts, one the pinion proper and the other the control member or nut, but it will be understood that I have-so disclosed my invention herein for the sake of a clear and definite description and that the same, in its broader aspect, is applicable to drives having different forms of driving members. It will also be understood that my invention while shown in connection with the direct drive and also outboard type of drive is also applicable to the indirect type and theinbo'ard type of drive.

In the particular embodiment of my inpinion type i'n which the driving member volition as illu trated in the drawings the electric motor '1 has an extended armature shaft 2 on which is mounted a Bendix drive Describing the embodimentof my inven -tion as herein shown, the drive is detachably mounted upon the driving or armature shaft 2 whose outer end is supported in a bearing formed on a bracket 3 which projects forwardly from a casing 4 that is attached to the motor frame 1n suitable manner as by meansofthe screws 5. This casing is also attached by means of the screws 6 to theflywheel casing 7 of the engine, within which rotates the flywheel 8.

The drive comprises a hollow screw shaft 9 havin a screw threaded portion 10 and mounte on the armature shaft 2 and driven thereby through the driving head 11, drive spring 12 and driven head 13 of the screw shaft. Upon the screw shaft there is mounted the drivin member which is here in two parts, the pinion proper marked 14 and the control member or nut marked15.

The pinion which has a smooth bore is mounted loosely upon the screw threads, and,

when moved longitudinally by the nut, it is of such release means as herein shown, the pinion is provided with a disk or flange 17 to whose inner face there is attached in suitable manner as by means of the screws 18 a beveled gear 19. The nut 15 is likewise provided with a flange 20 to whose outer face is secured by means of the screws 21 a beveled gear 22. The two gears .19 and 22 are similar but opposed. Surrounding the control nut and its flange and the pinion flange is a cage 23 which is in turn mounted to rotate within a casing or sleeve 24 but in one direction only. For this latter purpose a one-way clutch is-interposed between the periphery of the cage and this casing 24 such clutch here comprising the series of balls 25 arranged in the inclined peripheral grooves 26 in the cage.

Suitably mounted in the cage are two studs 27 which are arranged diametrically opposite each other and on whose inner ends are loosely mounted for rotation small beveled pinions 28 which are in constant mesh with the beveled gears 19 and 22. Friction is provided in suitable manner between these beveled pinions and their studs for a purpose hereinafter mentioned, such friction being herein provided by means of the compression springs 29 interposed between the cage and the pinions and pressing the latter against the enlarged inner heads ofthe studs.

The cage not only surrounds the nut and its pinion and also the pinion flange 17 but also constitutes an assembly therewith and has means for limiting the displacement or separation of the nut and pinion from each other, for which purpose the cage is provided with an inwardly directed radial flange 30 and an end ring 31 screwing upon the outer end of the cage and provided with an inwardly directed flange 32 extending over the pinion flange 17.

The casing or sleeve 24 is so mounted within the casing 4 as to float somewhat therein rotarily to which end it is secured rigidly at one point by means of the screw 33 and yieldingly by means of the screw 34 which is here diametrically opposite the other screw and which has a pin and slot connection with the sleeve 24, such pin being the inner end 35 of the screw 34 and the. slot being the slot 36 in the sleeve 24 as shown more particularly in Fig. 5.

Describing a cycle of operation and beginning with the parts in their normal position in Fig. 1, when the starting motor switch. is closed and the armature shaft 2 is rotated, the screw shaft 10 is likewise rotated with the result that the entire assembly including the pinion proper, the nut interposed web of the beveled gear 19 being first taken up, it being understood that there is suflicient play between the beveled pinions and the beveled gears to permit of this slight movement. The pinion is thereby brought into mesh with the flywheel as shown in Fig. 2. This advance or longitudinal movement of the assembly is arrested by contact of the pinion or rather the interposed ring 38 against the stop nut 39 whereby the pinion is clamped between such'stop nut and the nut 15. The parts are now in cranking position and. the entire assembly including1 the pinion and nut now partaking of t e rotary movement of the screw shaft, the torque of the motor is transmitted to the flywheel and the engine is thereupon cranked.

When the engine starts on its own power the pinion will be demeshed in the wellknown automatic manner inasmuch as the flywheel will rotate the .pinion at a speed greater than the speed of the screw shaft. Due to the friction between the bevel pinions and the cage, these pinions are retarded as torotation and the increased speed of the pinion 14 is thereby transmitted through the bevel gear 19, the bevel pinions 28 and the bevel gear 22 to the control nut. This assembly now rotates as a unit, the two bevel gears 19 and 22 rotating in the same direction. The nut is thereby screwed back along the screw threads until the pinion 14 is out of engagement with the flywheel. The parts are then restored to the normal position shown in Fig. 1, ready for another cycle of operation.

If, at the time that the starting motor switch is closed, the flywheel should be re tatingor rocking backwards as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3, the assembly of pinion, nut and release means will be advanced longitudinally in the manner above ex- Inasmuch as the cage 23 cannotgear 19 because the one-way or over-run-.

ning clutch holds it stationary in that direction, the beveled pinions will thereupon transmit the rotation oft-he beveled gear 19 to the beveled gear 22 which will thereby be rotated in a direction opposite to that of the beveled gear 19. The further result of this particular direction of rotation of the beveled gear 22 will be to rotate the control nut on'the screw threads in the same direction as the screw shaft is rotated. Consequentlythe nut is screwed backwardly along the screw shaft and away from'operative contact with the pinion 14 or the web of the beveled gear 19 connected therewith and the clamping action between such nut and the pinion is prevented. Consequently under the conditions above set forth it is impossible to mesh the pinion with the flywheel and strain upon orinjury to the parts of the drive is thereby avoided.

In case of back firing of the engine during the time of cranking by the drive, that is with the pinion 14 in mesh with the flywheel, the release means will act to positively demesh the pinion from the. flywheel, by reason of the backward rotation of the pinion and consequent action of the release means in the same manner as above explained in thefievent that the pinion merely .comes into contact with the backwardly rotating flywheel as shown in Fig. 3. In. the event of back firing during the time of cranking, the nut will thus be rotated in the same direction as the screw shaft isrotating and the entire assembly including the pinion 14 will be positively withdrawn out of mesh with the flywheel and clamping action between the nut and the pinion will be prevented, wherefore all strain upon and in ury to the parts that might otherwise result will be avoided.

In this manner and by these means the backward rotation of the driving member or pinion which is caused by the backward rotation of the engine member or flywheel (which would drive the pinion at a speed greater than the screw shaft) is communicated to the control membero'rnut in such a way as to rotate such nut forwardly in the same direction as the rotation of the screw shaft, with the result of releasing the pinion from driving relation or contact with the engine member upon backward rotation of the latter and of destroying or preventing the driving relation between the nut and the pinion. This result is accomplished by the gearing interposed between the nut and the pinion for thus translating the backward rotation of the pinion into a forward rotation of the nut.

I claim:

1. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, means surrounding such drive for'preventing cranking engagement with the engine member upon backward rotation of the latter.

2. An engine starter including a member 3. An engine starter'including a. memberuding a driving member mounted of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member,

means surrounding such drive for releasing the drive from engagement with the engine member upon backward rotation of the latter.

4. An engine starter includin a member of the engine to be started, a-dr ve adapted 5. An engine starter including a member,

of the engine to be started, a self-contained unitary drive having a single: part for engagement with said engine member, said drive adapted to engage and drive such e11- gine member and including means directly actuated by the engine member for disengaging the drive 'from such engine member when the latter becomes the driver in either direction of rotation.

6. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a driving member mounted 1 for longitudinal movement to engage the engine member and for rotary movement to i drive it and actuated directly by the engine member in event of back-fire of the engine, and also including means actuated by'said driving member for disengaging the driving member from. the engine member when the latter becomes the driver in either direction of rotation.

7. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started; a drive adapted to engage anddrive such engine member and including a rotatable shaft and a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary. movementtherewith, and means surrounding the driv- 1 ing member for releasing the latter from the engine member upon backward rotation of the latter. I

8. An engine starter includin r a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means arranged concentric of the shaft for releasing the driving member from engagement with the engine member u on backward rotation of the latter.

9. 11 engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into a forward rotation of the control member. j

10. An engine starter including a member oftheen-gine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into a forward" rotation of the control member,

1 into a forward rotation of the control member, and including a one-way clutch coopcrating with the control member.

12. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine .member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means arranged concentric of the shaft for releasing the driving membeer from engagement with the engine member upon backward rotation of the latter, and-including a oneavay clutch also arranged concentric of the shaft and cooperating with said control member.

'13. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into a forward rotation of the control member, said means surrounding said drive.

14. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means interposed between the two members for translating the backward. rotation of the driving memher into a forward rotation of the control member.

15. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member and including a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means surrounding said twomembers and interposed between them for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into a forward rotation of the control member.

16. An engine starter including a. member of the engine to be started, a drive member and a rotatable control member.

cooperating therewith, and means for transp lating backward rotation of the driving member into forward rotation of the control member including gearing interposed between the two members and adapted to rotate the control member forwardly when the driving member rotates backwardly.

17. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable controlmember cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving memberinto forward rotation of the control member including opposed gears on the two members respectively and pinions located between the gears and cooperating therewith.

18. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation ,of the driving member into forward rotation of the control member including opposed gears on the two members respectively, pinions located between the gears and cooperating therewith, and acage for said pinions.

19. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and" drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, opposed gears on a the two members respectively, pinions located between the gears and cooperating therewith, and a cage for said pinions rotatable in one direction only.

20. An engine starter including a member of the engine .to be started, a driveadapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member coope ating therewith, opposed gears on the two members respectively, pinions located between the gears and cooperating-therewith, a rotatable cage for said pinions, and a nonrotatable casing which surrounds the cage and with which the cage has a. one-way connection.

21. An engine starter includin a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating V therewith, opposed gears on the two members respectively, pinions located between the gears and cooperating therewith, a 1'0- casing WhlCh surrounds the cage, and a oneway clutch between the cage and casing.

22. An engine starter includin a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into forward rotation of the control member including opposed gears on the two members respectively, pinions located between the ears and cooperating therewith, and a cage or said pinions having means for limiting, the amount of longitudinal separation of the two members.

23. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into forward rotation of the control member including opposed gears on the two'members respectively, pinions located between the gears and cooperating therewith, and a cage in which said pinions are mounted and which surrounds said gears and the control -member and a ortion of the driving member, said cage aving means to limit the tongitudinal separation of said two memers.

24. An engine starter including a member of the engine to be started, a drive adapted to engage and drive such engine member, and comprising a rotatable driving member and a rotatable control member cooperating therewith, and means for translating 'the backward rotation of the driving member into forward rotation of the control member including opposed gears on the two members respectively, plnions located between the gears and cooperating therewith, and a cage in which said pinions are -mounted and which surrounds said gears and the control memberand a portion of the driving member, said cage having at its opposed ends radial inward y directed flanges which are contacted by said two members to limit their longitudinal separation.

25. An engine starter drive comprising a pinion adapted to engage and drive a member of the engine to be started, a control member cooperating with the pinion to 1 advance it into such engagement and cause it to be rotated, and means for translating the backward rotation of the driving member into a forward rotation of the control member.

26. An engine starter drive COIIIPIlSlIlg a pinion adapted to engage and drive a memr of the engine to be started, a control member cooperating with the pinion and adapted to establish its driving relation, and

means actuated by the backward movement of the pinion for releasing such driving relation and withdrawing the control mem ber from operative posit1on. v

27. An engine starter drive comprising a pinion adapted to-engage and drivea member of the engine to be started, a 'control member cooperating with the pinion and adapted to establish its driving relation, and meansactuated by the backward movement of the pinion for releasing such driving relation and withdrawing the control, member from operative position, said means including gearing between the pinion and the control member for rotating the latter forwardly when the pinion is rotated backwardly.

28. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely mounted thereon and adapted to :be moved longitudinally thereof into engagement with a member of the engine to be started and to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to move the pinion longitudinally into such engagement and to clamp it into rotative relation with the shaft, and means for translating the backward rotation of the pinion into forward rotation of the nut including gears mounted on the pinion and nut, and pinions meshing with the gears and disposed intermediate thereof.

29. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be moved longitudinally thereof into engagement with a member of the engine to be started and to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to move the pinion longitudinally into such engagement and to clamp it into rotative relation with the shaft, and means for translating the backward rotation ofthe pinion into forward rotation of the nut including oppositely disposed bevel gears secured to the pinion and nut respectively, and bevel pinions meshing with said gears and disposed intermediate thereof.

30. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a inion loosel mounted thereon and adapted to be move longitudinally thereof into engagement with a member of the engine to be started and to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on into forward rotation of the nut including oppositely disposed bevel gears secured to said flanges respectively, and bevel pinions meshing with said gears and disposed intermediate thereof.

31. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be moved longitudinally thereof into engagement with a member of the engine to be started and to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to move the pinion longitudinally into such engagement and to clamp it into rotative relation with the shaft, and means for translating the backward rotation of the pinion into forward rotation of the nut including oppositely disposed bevel gears secured to the pinion and nut respectively, a cage surrounding the gears andflanges, and bevel.

pinions mounted in the cage and meshing with said gear's'and disposed intermediate thereof. v i

32. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be moved longitudinally thereof into engagement with a mem ber of the engine to be started and to. be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to move the pinion longitudinally into such ongagement and to clamp it into rotative relation with the shaft, and means for translating the backward rotation of the pinion into forward rotation of the nut vincluding oppositely disposed bevel gears secured to the pinion and nut respectively, bevel pinions meshing with said gears and disposed intermediate thereof, and means for applying resistance to the rotation of the bevel pinions.

33'. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosel mounted thereon and adapted to be move longitudinally thereof into engagement with a member of the engine to be started and to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to move the, pinion longitudinally into such engagement and to clamp itinto rotative relation with the shaft, andmeans for translating the backward rotation of the pinion into forward rotation of the nut including oppositely disposed bevel gears secured to the pinions and nut respectively, bevel pinions meshing with said gears and disposed intermediate thereof, and means for applying frictional resistance to the rotation of the bevel pinions.

34. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be moved longithe pinions and nut respectively, bevel pinions meshing with said gears and disposed intermediate thereof, and springs for applying frictional resistance to the bevel pinions.

35. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely: mounted the rotation of;

thereon and adapted to be moved longitu tudinally thereof into engagement x a member of the engine to be started and.

to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinalmovement,

thereof and rotary movement therewith and a, adapted to move the pinion longitudinally into such engagement and to clamp it into rotative relation with the shaft, and means for translating the backward, rotation of the pinion into forward rotation of the nut including oppositely disposed bevel gears secured to the' pinion and nut res ectively, a cage surrounding the gears an flanges, studs mounted in the cage radial thereof, and bevel pinions loosely mounted .on the studs and meshing with the gears.

36. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a pinion loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be moved longitudiber of the engine to be started and to be rotated by such shaft, a nut mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to move the pinion longitudinally into such engagement and to clamp it into rotative. relatlon with the shaft, and means for translating the backward rotation of the pinion into forward rotation of. the nut including oppositely dis osed bevel gears secured to the pinion an nut respectivel a cage surroundin the gears and anges, studs mounte 'in the cage radial, thereof, bevel pinions loosely mounted on the studs and meshing with the gears, and springs interposed between the cage and bevel pinions to apply frictional resistance thereto.

37. An engine starter includin a motor having an extended armature sha t, a cylindrical casing secured to and extendin from on end thereof and surrounding the s aft, a drive mounted on said shaft and adapted to establish driving connection between the motor shaft and a member of the engine to Y driving connection upon backward rotation of the engine member and the driving member,said release means including a cage, and means arranged between the cage and casing for preventing the rotation of the cage in one direction.

7 38. An engine starter includin a motor having an extended armature sha a c lindrical casing secured to and extending rom one end thereof and surrounding the shaft, a drive mounted on said shaft and adapted to establish driving connection between the motor shaft and a member of the engine to be started, said drive including a driving member and release means for releasing the driving'connection upon backward rotation of the engine member and the driving member, said release means including a cage, and a one-way clutch between the cage and casing for preventing the rotation of the cage 1n one direction.

39. An engine starter includin a motor having an extended armature shafiz, a c lindrical casing secured to and extending rom one end thereof and surrounding the shaft, a drive mounted on said shaft and adapted to establish driving connection between the motor shaft and a member of the engine to be started, said drive including a driving member and release means for releasing the lriving connection upon backward rotation f the engine member and the driving memher, said release means including a cage, a sleeve surrounding the cage and secured at one point of its eripheryto the interior of the casing and ree at other points, and a one-way clutch between the sleeve and cage for preventing the rotation of the cage in one direct-ion.

MAURICE P. WHITNEY. 

